[2]

“Drive safely,” Auri said just before Ethan got into his car.

That morning, like any other workday, Ethan was heading to the office—managing H&N Ltd., a company well respected in the city of BellMont.

“You too.” Ethan pressed a gentle kiss to his wife’s forehead. “Don’t overdo it. You remember what the doctor said last week, right?”

Auri nodded.

“Alright, then I—”

“Ethan!” Anna called out, hurrying toward them, her steps a little rushed and careless until—“Argh!”

“Oh my God!”

Thankfully, Ethan reacted quickly, catching Anna before she could fall. “Are you alright? Does anything hurt? Tell me if your stomach feels painful.”

Panic flickered across his face as he fired off questions, while Anna rested lightly in his arms, a faint smile on her lips.

“You still have great reflexes,” she said softly. “Thank you.”

Ethan cleared his throat. “Be careful next time, Anna. You’re pregnant.”

“I didn’t want you to forget your lunch.” Anna held out a paper bag with a lunchbox inside. “I stayed in the kitchen a bit longer just to make this for you. You’ve always liked my cooking, haven’t you?”

Ethan looked surprised. His eyes instinctively shifted to Auri, as if silently asking for permission.

“Oh… I shouldn’t have done this, should I?” Anna pulled the lunch bag back slightly. “I just wanted to prepare lunch for you, Ethan. I thought Auri must already be busy taking care of so many things.”

Her expression dimmed, just enough to make Ethan reach out and take the bag—almost forcefully.

“Thank you,” he said. “I’ll eat it later at lunch.”

Anna’s face lit up. “Drive safely.” She waved enthusiastically as Ethan got into his car. Moments later, the vehicle disappeared down the driveway.

Watching it all unfolded; Auri could only clench her fists.

What was Anna trying to do this time?

Before Auri could voice her protest, Anna spoke again. “You don’t mind if I prepare Ethan’s lunch, do you? Think of it as my way of repaying his kindness.”

Auri didn’t know how to respond.

And it wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Since Anna moved into the house, there had been many moments that made Auri feel… uneasy. As if Anna’s behavior was becoming increasingly suspicious.

Like that morning.

Auri had just woken up with a dull ache in her head. Pregnancy has made restful sleep a rare luxury. She walked slowly toward the kitchen, intending to get a glass of warm water.

“I’m making breakfast,” Ethan said, standing by the stove. “You just sit down.”

“I can—”

“No,” Ethan interrupted gently. “You need to rest. You couldn’t sleep last night because of the headache, remember? Sit and wait. I’ll bring your breakfast to you.”

Auri nodded and took a seat at the dining table. Warmth spread through her chest. That small gesture—Ethan’s quiet care—made her feel deeply loved. They even shared light conversation as he skillfully prepared their meal.

But the warmth was abruptly interrupted—by the sound of hurried footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Ethan,” Anna called out weakly.

He turned at once. “What is it?”

“I feel very dizzy,” Anna said, gripping the back of the dining chair. Her face had gone pale. “My chest feels tight too.”

Ethan immediately stepped away from the kitchen. “Sit down first. Don’t stand for too long.”

He guided Anna to the chair, then crouched down to slip off her sandals. “I’ll get you some water.”

Auri watched every movement her husband made. The glass of warm water Ethan had prepared for her earlier was now growing cold.

“Auri,” Ethan called. “Could you get a pillow for Anna?”

She couldn’t refuse. Auri stood, fetched a pillow, and handed it over without a word. Anna accepted it with a faint smile.

“I’m sorry for troubling you,” Anna said softly. “I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s alright,” Auri replied quietly.

That day passed without any major incident. But similar moments kept happening—again and again, growing more frequent, more intense. As though Ethan had somehow found himself caring for two pregnant wives under the same roof.

When Auri felt nauseous and Ethan was about to accompany her to the bedroom, Anna would suddenly complain of dizziness. When Auri wanted someone to walk with her in the garden, Anna would say her legs ached. Every time Ethan moved closer to Auri, there was always one reason that redirected his steps toward Anna.

Ethan didn’t notice it. Or perhaps he didn’t want to.

But Auri felt it clearly—something in this house had changed. Ethan’s attention was splitting apart, and often, Auri found herself quietly set aside.

Whenever Auri voiced her discomfort, Ethan only responded with a light laugh—as if everything she said was nothing more than misplaced jealousy.

“How could I possibly be paying more attention to Anna, love? That’s just how it feels to you.”

Every time Ethan said that, Auri would look at him closely, searching his face. It usually made him let out a long breath before taking her hand, trying to soothe her, to brush away her worries.

“Anna’s pregnancy is fragile, Auri. Try to understand. Besides, I’ve never neglected you, have I?”

“…Alright,” Auri finally gave in. “Maybe I’m just overthinking things.”

Until one afternoon, the doorbell rang. Not long after, gentle laughter filled the living room.

“Anna, My Dear.”

Auri, who had just stepped out of the bedroom, immediately knew who the visitor was.

“Mom,” Auri greeted politely.

Her mother-in-law only glanced at her, offering a thin smile before turning back to Anna. She pulled the younger woman into an emotional embrace. “My goodness, you look so thin. Sit down. Don’t stand for too long.”

“I’m fine,” Anna replied softly.

“No need to put on a brave face,” Mrs. Valencia said firmly. “You’re pregnant.”

Ethan smiled faintly as he welcomed his mother. “Did you just arrive, Mom?”

“I stopped by on purpose,” she replied. “I wanted to see Anna.”

Auri stood a few steps behind them, her hand instinctively resting on her own stomach.

Mrs. Valencia sat down on the sofa, right beside Anna. “If you need anything, just tell Ethan,” she said. “He’ll help you.”

“You’re too kind, Mom,” Anna replied. “Ethan and Auri have helped me so much while I’ve been staying here.”

“That’s only proper,” Mrs. Valencia countered. “You’ve been like a daughter to me since you were little.”

Ethan chuckled. “Sometimes I feel like Anna is your real daughter, Mom. You’ve always said that.”

They laughed together—easily, warmly. The conversation continued, flowing without pause, without once involving Auri. As if she weren’t there at all.

“Do you remember when you fell off your bike, Anna?” Mrs. Valencia said with a smile. “Ethan carried you all the way home.”

Anna let out a soft laugh. “I remember. My knee was bleeding.”

“You cried the entire way,” Ethan added.

“And you were panicking like crazy,” Anna shot back.

Auri could only watch them, her heart heavy with everything she couldn’t say. This… wasn’t right.

“I once thought,” Mrs. Valencia continued casually, “that the two of you would end up together.”

The room fell into sudden silence. Ethan cleared his throat. “That was a long time ago, Mom.”

“Yes, you’re right,” his mother replied. “But you’ve always been close to her.”

Auri lowered her gaze, focusing on her own fingers.

“By the way,” Mrs. Valencia suddenly turned to Auri, “is your pregnancy going well?”

“Yes, Mom,” Auri answered briefly.

“Good,” the woman said, then turned back to Anna. “Have you seen the doctor this week?”

“I have,” Anna replied quickly. “But I still get dizzy often.”

“You need more attention,” Mrs. Valencia said firmly. “Ethan, make sure she eats regularly. Don’t let Anna get stressed during this pregnancy. After all, Auri’s pregnancy doesn’t require much attention, does it?”

“Yes, Mom,” Ethan answered without hesitation.

Auri took a slow breath.

That entire weekend afternoon, her mother-in-law’s attention remained fixed on Anna. Auri was repeatedly pushed aside, treated as though she didn’t exist. Just like Ethan, who seemed to notice Anna far more often than he noticed her.

Later that afternoon, when Mrs. Valencia prepared to leave, Anna walked her to the door with Ethan’s help.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Mrs. Valencia said to Anna. “This house feels alive again.”

Anna smiled. “Thank you, Mom.”

Ethan closed the door and turned back. “Are you tired?” he asked Anna.

“A little,” she said. “Maybe I should lie down.”

“I’ll walk you to your room.”

“I’d like to rest too,” Auri said calmly.

Ethan turned to her. Hesitation flickered across his face. “I… after I take Anna upstairs, I’ll come back for you.”

Auri smiled—as though she had already known what he was going to say. “Sometimes I wonder, Ethan,” she said softly, “who is actually your wife?”